Chapter 347 : The Green Ark's Promising Voyage

Seeing him agree, everyone was overjoyed. Merging into the Chu Nation Chen Clan meant that from now on, Dark Ink Mountain would belong to a Golden Core Immortal Clan [a clan led by a Golden Core stage cultivator, a major power in the cultivation world], a status vastly different from before.

Once the merger of the Chen Clan was confirmed, Dark Ink Mountain decided to dispatch a group of cultivators to the Chu Nation.

However, the journey to the Chu Nation was immensely long. Even for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator [a cultivator who has built their spiritual foundation], returning in the future would take one or two years. Therefore, the cultivators selected for this journey to Chu Nation were meticulously chosen.

Eldrin Chen stayed at Dark Ink Mountain for half a month. The Chen Immortal Clan selected nearly three hundred cultivators, all promising talents from the younger generation. Void Cosmos Chen and Void Spirit Chen were among them.

Eldrin Chen was quite satisfied with this group. Many possessed the potential to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, representing the majority of Dark Ink Mountain's rising stars. With proper nurturing, they should help alleviate some of the Chen Clan's manpower shortage.

After handling these matters, he did not linger. That very day, he activated the Green Sun Treasure Ark [a flying treasure shaped like an ark] and departed the Qi Nation with the three hundred cultivators.

After a mere dozen or so days, Eldrin Chen returned to the Chu Nation. Entrusting the newcomers to Lior Chen for settlement, he then returned to Spirit Isle Lake.

"Was your journey to the Qi Nation smooth?"

Upon his return, Exquisite Jiang immediately brewed a pot of Peach Blossom Wine [a fragrant spiritual wine]. As she prepared the wine, she inquired about his trip.

Eldrin Chen recounted the events to Exquisite Jiang. After listening, she nodded slightly and said with a smile, "That True Person Mo-ink [a title for a cultivator who has achieved the Golden Core stage] seems to have decent character. It appears he is a reliable person." Access the full story on audio-novel .c om.

"You made a wise choice by not completely severing ties with him."

Eldrin Chen nodded calmly and said, "That man possesses extraordinary strength, having forged a Middle-Tier Golden Core [a solid, mid-grade core of condensed spiritual power]. If he truly fled for his life, I might not be able to slay him. Moreover, he is not far from reaching the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core cultivation stage]."

"I see."

Exquisite Jiang's eyes flickered slightly. A cultivator reaching the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core cultivation stage] at just over six hundred years old would likely achieve Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle state of the Golden Core stage] by their seven hundreds.

A cultivator with a Middle-Tier Golden Core [a solid, mid-grade core of condensed spiritual power], aided by a Longevity Pill [an elixir that extends one's lifespan], would typically have three chances to attempt a breakthrough into the Infant Soul [the nascent soul stage of cultivation]. There might even be a twenty to thirty percent possibility of them successfully entering the Infant Soul Realm [the realm of the nascent soul] in the future.

"It seems that once Patriarch Mo-ink breaks through to the Golden Core Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Golden Core cultivation stage], his strength could rank within the top five among all Golden Core [Golden Core stage] cultivators in the Ji Continent."

Eldrin Chen stated indifferently, though of course, this 'top five' ranking did not include supreme talents like himself and Exquisite Jiang, who possessed Great Encompassing Golden Core [a supreme-grade, flawless golden core of legendary rarity].

After all, with the exalted nature of a Great Encompassing Golden Core [a supreme-grade, flawless golden core of legendary rarity], their combat prowess was nearly invincible among peers of the same cultivation stage.

In truth, even across the entire Purple Seal Realm, the number of individuals who could rival them while at the same cultivation stage likely wouldn't exceed three or five.

Such individuals were Primordial Spirit Seed [those with the innate potential to form a Primordial Spirit], their future potential immeasurable. They were destined to become, at the very least, powerful True Lord [a title for high-level Infant Soul cultivators] at the Infant Soul Late Stage [the advanced phase of the Infant Soul stage].

It was precisely this foundation that allowed Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang to advance to this day, finding themselves with virtually no peers among those of their own cultivation realm.

In their eyes, ninety percent of Golden Core Cultivators were ordinary. Only one in ten who had forged a Middle-Tier Golden Core might earn a slightly higher regard—but it was merely a slightly higher regard.

Those who truly commanded their respect were the heaven-favored prodigies who had successfully forged a Superior-Tier Golden Core.

Yet, how arduous was the path to forging a Superior-Tier Golden Core? Such individuals were destined to become the Clan Patriarchs of top-tier Immortal Clans in the future, their strength ranking among the powerful even within the ranks of Infant Soul True Lords.

Do not be misled by the fact that the Ji Clan currently boasts several Infant Soul True Lords; one must consider their lifespan [the extended natural life granted by high-level cultivation].

Given the longevity of an Infant Soul True Lord, even if several generations of Golden Core Cultivators on the Ji Continent were to come and go, the Infant Soul True Lords would still be alive and well.

Currently, there are close to fifty Golden Core cultivators on the Ji Continent. Yet, after a millennium of bitter struggle, it is exceedingly difficult for even one or two among them to ascend to become an Infant Soul True Lord. The Infant Soul True Lords of the Ji Clan have been accumulated step by step over the course of several thousand years.

Throughout those millennia, countless Golden Core True Persons have risen on the Ji Continent, among them no shortage of dazzlingly talented individuals. Generation after generation of Golden Core Cultivators have taken the stage, their numbers likely reaching several hundred.

Among so many Golden Core Cultivators, how many could ultimately become an Infant Soul True Lord?

The fundamental reasons, aside from the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm and Beast Tides [periodic, massive invasions by demonic beasts], are that the majority of Golden Core True Persons lack sufficient strength, being merely ordinary Golden Core cultivators unable to distinguish themselves from the crowd.

Across the world, ninety percent of Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed a core of solidified spiritual power] possess a Lower-Tier Golden Core [the foundational grade of a Golden Core, representing the lowest potential]. Even with a Nascent Soul Formation Pill [a rare elixir that aids in forming the Primordial Spirit], the chance of breaking through to the Infant Soul [the realm where one's spiritual essence forms an independent infant-like spirit] is merely ten or twenty percent. This foundational gap alone winnows hundreds of Golden Core Cultivator down to a mere few dozen.

And those few dozen are the ones truly qualified to attempt the Infant Soul Realm [the cultivation stage of the Infant Soul]. Yet, these individuals are not necessarily all from the same generation.

Throughout his journey, Eldrin Chen had rarely encountered cultivators of truly exceptional, heaven-defying talent. The fundamental reason was that such prodigies favored by destiny were exceedingly rare.

Such individuals either had not yet emerged into the world, or had long since ascended to become lofty Infant Soul True Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator at the Infant Soul realm], or even peerless Path Lord [a title for a master who has comprehended a profound Dao Path] who shook the world with their might. How could one so easily encounter them within the confines of a minor kingdom?

Setting aside these thoughts, Eldrin Chen said with a faint smile, "Although True Person Mo-ink possesses some depth, he is merely a Middle-Tier Golden Core [the intermediate grade of a Golden Core]. There is no need to pay him excessive attention."

"However, at Dark Ink Mountain, I obtained a Sun-Returning Fruit [a rare spiritual fruit that can restore vitality]. It is one of the primary ingredients for refining both the Longevity Pill [an elixir that extends one's lifespan] and the Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill [an elixir that aids in dispelling heavenly tribulations]." This chapter is provided by *audio-novel.com*. Support the original.

Looking at the Sun-Returning Fruit he presented, Exquisite Jiang couldn't help but chuckle. "This herb is quite rare. Generally, everyone uses it to refine the Longevity Pill, so its value is exceptionally high."

"However, since we possess the Heaven and Earth Spirit Apricot [a legendary spiritual fruit], we have no need to refine a Longevity Pill. Instead, refining it into the Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill would be of great benefit to several of your younger clan members."

Having secured the Spirit Herb [a plant imbued with spiritual energy], both of them were in excellent spirits and immediately began refining the Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill.

This alchemical endeavor was again a joint effort, with Exquisite Jiang taking the lead and Eldrin Chen assisting. In just over a month's time, the furnace yielded the completed elixir.

After the pill was successfully refined, Exquisite Jiang remarked with a sigh, "Those few from your Chen Clan who achieved Self-Achieved Foundation Establishment and subdued the Mortal Shell Tribulation have, through their journey to this day, seen their conviction and foundation undergo a profound transformation, becoming increasingly Extraordinary. With this Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill [a legendary pill that aids in overcoming cultivation tribulations], perhaps they truly can forge a Superior-Tier Golden Core [the highest grade of Golden Core, representing immense potential]."

Eldrin Chen was also filled with joy. Without the Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill, it was likely that Ethan, Lila, and Kael might not have been able to forge a Superior-Tier Golden Core.

Failing a breakthrough attempt once would waste an entire Sixty-Year Cycle [a cycle of sixty years, a significant unit of time and fate] of lifespan. This was a heavy cost even for a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator at the Golden Core stage], let alone for a Violet Sanctum Cultivator [a cultivator at the Violet Sanctum stage] whose lifespan was merely four hundred years.

Regardless, now that they possessed the Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill, coupled with the formidable foundation they had built by relying solely on their own strength throughout their journey, their chances of successfully forging a Superior-Tier Golden Core in the future were perhaps not small.

This was especially true for Kael. With immense willpower, he had actually subdued the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a chaotic and malevolent energy that can corrupt cultivators] and, through sheer force of determination, separated its demonic nature from it. Such great perseverance was rare in all the world.

Since subduing the Demonic Fiendish Energy, Kael Chen had subtly begun to stand out from among the many cultivators of the Chen Clan.

With such great perseverance and spirit, once he attempted to break through to the Golden Core Realm, he would either succeed on the first attempt or exhaust his Vitality [the life force and essence of a cultivator] and perish. Eldrin Chen had a faint intuition that he would not fail.

As his cultivation grew deeper, Eldrin Chen had gradually solidified his own convictions.

He believed that cultivation was about the human will triumphing over heaven. If one's conviction was strong enough, or one's power was sufficient, then a person's will could overturn the cycle of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth], earn the respect of the world's will, and even make the world's will conform to one's own.

If one harbored great perseverance, immense spirit, and that unyielding obsession for Indestructibility [the state of being unbreakable and eternal], it might play a miraculous role at a critical moment.

Legend holds that if a person's conviction is sufficiently powerful, it can often transform a mere ten percent chance of success into thirty percent, or even fifty percent.

And the sheer willpower demonstrated by Kael Chen likely surpasses that of many Infant Soul Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their Primordial Spirit]. Such individuals either meet a fiery, spectacular end upon their Path [the journey of cultivation and enlightenment], or are destined to travel far further than ordinary folk.

"What a pity about Elara."

Exquisite Jiang suddenly sighed. Elara Lin possessed a Variant Spiritual Root [a rare type of spiritual affinity], giving her a fifty percent chance of achieving Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] without relying on external aids.

However, Elara Lin was young back then, and her courage ultimately fell short. She dared not take that step, risking a fifty percent chance of Death.

As her master, Exquisite Jiang was also unwilling to force her disciple to gamble with her life. Thus, Elara Lin had relied on external aids to reach her current stage.

This was also related to the scarcity of resources at the time. The situation then was nothing like today. The resources now controlled by Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang had increased by more than tenfold compared to what was available three hundred years ago when Elara Lin first embarked on her cultivation journey.

In the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, cultivation resources for an Ice Spiritual Root [a spiritual affinity attuned to the ice element] were scarce. Back then, Elara Lin wasn't even certain she could break through to Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation], so she truly didn't have many choices.

"There's no need to rush matters concerning Elara."

Eldrin Chen sighed. Mending a flawed foundation was no small feat. He was still desperately searching for the resources needed to elevate the Old Patriarch's Golden Core quality. He didn't even have a trace of the Earth Mother Energy [a profound earth-attribute spiritual essence] or Heavenly Path Energy [a profound heaven-attribute spiritual essence] required for his own breakthrough to Infant Soul [the fourth major realm of cultivation]. How could he spare the energy to worry about too many other things?

Exquisite Jiang also nodded in agreement. At present, even for the two of them, the Infant Soul Realm [the spiritual core stage beyond the Golden Core] remained a distant horizon. Contemplating such matters now held little practical meaning.

Having stored away the Sun-Returning Tribulation-Dispelling Pill [a supreme elixir said to reverse the sun and dispel heavenly tribulations], the pair resumed their usual cultivation rhythm.

Within Spirit Isle Lake, aside from their daily cultivation, they would often sit and discourse on the Dao, studying the classics left by ancient sages.

At times, they would drift upon the lake in a small boat, brewing wine, steeping tea, and angling for Spirit Fish [fish imbued with spiritual energy]; other times, amidst the Peach Blossom Grove, they would play the zither, dance gracefully, and drink in the sight of the Ten-Mile Peach Blossoms. Their days passed in carefree and blissful contentment.

The seasons of Verdant Spirit, Summer Reign, White Storehouse, and Profound Brilliance [poetic names for the four seasons] flowed on, and the wheel of Reincarnation [the cycle of death and rebirth] turned without cease.

Thus, time gradually lengthened, and fleeting years slipped quietly by. In the blink of an eye, a full decade had passed.

Time flowed until it reached the year one nine four one zero of the Path Calendar [a celestial calendar marking significant cosmic cycles]. Eldrin Chen was two hundred and fifteen years old, which happened to be the two hundredth anniversary of his descent from the mountain.

In this year, after contemplating a hundred scriptures, Eldrin Chen finally succeeded in advancing the Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture [a profound cultivation method based on the five elements] to the realm of Golden Core Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Golden Core realm].

At this stage, the Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture had become truly formidable. The Solar True Flame [a divine flame of pure solar essence] derived from its principles was also successfully mastered by Eldrin Chen. This was a first-rate technique for refining Demon God [powerful entities of the demonic path], its power already verging on the domain of a Great God Ability [a supreme divine power].

"There are still some minor imperfections," he noted.

Gazing at the cultivation art in his hand, Eldrin Chen let out a soft sigh.

This Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture possessed power comparable to a top-tier Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a solidified golden spiritual core] technique, yet it ultimately still held some flaws.

The root cause was still Eldrin Chen's insufficient cultivation base, making it difficult for him to perfect this art completely.

In essence, the earliest cultivation arts devised by practitioners were merely records left by ancient sages of their own, painstakingly explored paths—summaries of their personal cultivation journeys.

For Eldrin Chen to create an entirely new Golden Core 9th Tier [the pinnacle of the Golden Core realm] art was, in truth, merely a prediction and extrapolation of his own future path. Since he had not yet reached the Golden Core 9th Tier, a degree of uncertainty was inevitable.

However, as his cultivation deepened in the days to come, this Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture would naturally become increasingly refined and perfected.

With this thought, he stored the Five Elements Origin-Returning Scripture and emerged from his Seclusion Chamber [a specially prepared room for undisturbed meditation and cultivation]. The moment he stepped out, he found Exquisite Jiang had been waiting for him for some time.

Seeing him emerge, a smile blossomed in Exquisite Jiang's eyes.

"The ten-year agreement has arrived," she said. "Verdant Mist Yu is already waiting outside." For more chapters, visit audio-novel . com for the complete novel.